RIP MIKE FORD

[MarkECannon]

Former Sarasota Sailor and USF running back Mike Ford passed away Monday. This is a very tough one for me. I went to school with both of his parents. I never coached Mike but I coached against him many times.

The first time I met Mike my flag football team scrimmaged his team in the now defunct Ringling Redskin league. He was twice the size of practically every player on my team. Of course I wanted to see his birth certificate.

Mike was nice kid and very likable. Many of the players that knew me from coaching called me Coach Mark for years even though I had not coached for some time. Mike was the last one to stop calling me that. I got a kick out of that.

I could go on and on with Mike Ford stories. Right now my heart is heavy and I’m fighting some deep sadness. We communicated last week and now he is gone.

 

[Silver King]

So sorry for your loss, such an exciting back to watch. Played when my youngest played. Big, fluid, with vision and power. Way, way too soon. Journey well Mike Ford!

 

[gatorman001]

I read about his passing via a post on the Manatee/Sarasota sports page on facebook. I went to see if there was anything on it at the Sarasota Herald Tribune website and I couldnt find anything about him. He played while I was in GA and the internet hadnt really taken off at that point with the availability of multiple information points, so I did well to keep up on Manatee. My 1st time to actually see him play was while he was at USF. The young kids passing always hits hard, having a personal relationship make its even harder.

 

[MarkECannon]

Thank you both of you. I’m not sure any of the reports pointed this out. Mike committed to Alabama but he enrolled at a Juco to raise his academics. He later decided on USF. In the picture above that is the MVP trophy he earned in the International Bowl (which I believe is now defunct).

 

[Silver King]

Thank you both of you. I’m not sure any of the reports pointed this out. Mike committed to Alabama but he enrolled at a Juco to raise his academics. He later decided on USF. In the picture above that is the MVP trophy he earned in the International Bowl (which I believe is now defunct).

He played at USF with Tarpon WR Alex Mut.